John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

As I was saying, legislation is being prepared in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which will create a specific offence of trafficking human beings into, through or out of Ireland, for the purposes of their sexual and labour exploitation. As to when, the legislation is at an advanced stage of preparation. It will provide for compliance with two EU framework decisions on trafficking and will also take account of several United Nations and Council of Europe instruments in this area.

As regards the Dalton report to which Deputy Rabbitte referred, there is no question of anybody sitting on it, so to speak. The report has been considered within the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. Discussions have taken place with the Attorney General on the report and I have been advised that I should write to those mentioned in it to advise them of the contents in so far as they relate to each individual. They will have a sufficient period to reply, whereupon the Government will consider the matter.

I have stated from the outset that it will be necessary that each individual receives due process. That has been the case throughout. Now that we are nearing finality and coming towards the publication of the report, it is obviously important that we observe those procedures.

Incidentally, I greatly welcome Deputy Rabbitte joining the growing band of greyhound racing fans in the country. I have not noticed him of late at Shelbourne Park, Harold's Cross or any other greyhound track. I take it his interest stems from his coursing of the odd hare around here. Indeed he has turned the odd one as well.

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